Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most iconic footballers of our time, is known for his incredible skills, impressive records, and numerous accolades. However, there has been a recurring question among gamers and fans alike: Why can’t Cristiano Ronaldo play in FIFA games?
To clarify, Cristiano Ronaldo does feature in FIFA games, but there are certain limitations that prevent him from appearing as his real-life self. These limitations are primarily due to licensing issues and exclusive agreements between Ronaldo and other video game franchises.
Licensing is a crucial aspect of video game development, especially when it comes to incorporating real-life players. FIFA, developed by EA Sports, has licensing agreements with several football leagues, teams, and individual players, allowing them to include authentic teams, kits, stadiums, and player names. However, these licenses are not always comprehensive and can be subject to exclusivity deals.
One of the main hurdles preventing Cristiano Ronaldo’s full inclusion in FIFA games is his exclusive agreement with Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), a direct competitor to FIFA. Ronaldo has been the cover star for PES in various editions, which grants a license to use his likeness exclusively in their game. This means that EA Sports cannot include his real name, face, or any other attributes that would directly reference Ronaldo in FIFA.
Another factor contributing to the absence of Ronaldo’s full representation in FIFA games is the complexity of individual player licenses. While FIFA has licensing agreements with various football leagues and teams, securing the rights to individual players can be a different matter entirely. Negotiating with each player individually can be challenging, time-consuming, and costly, especially when considering the vast number of players featured in the game.
Furthermore, the process of creating player models is intricate and time-sensitive. Developers rely on detailed 3D scanning, motion capture, and facial recognition technologies to recreate the players’ physical attributes in the virtual world. These processes require the direct involvement and consent of the players themselves. If a player does not grant permission or has exclusive arrangements elsewhere, it becomes difficult to recreate their likeness accurately within the game.
Despite these challenges, EA Sports has made efforts to compensate for Ronaldo’s absence through alternative means. They employ generic player models with similar attributes, typically named “Piemonte Calcio” for Ronaldo’s team, Juventus, and provide customizable player creation options for users to replicate him manually within the game.
In recent years, EA Sports has also introduced collaborative agreements with specific leagues, such as the Premier League, to gain access to more comprehensive licensing rights. These agreements allow them to include accurate team names, kits, and stadiums, enhancing the overall authenticity of the game.
In conclusion, while Cristiano Ronaldo does appear in FIFA games, the limitations arise due to licensing issues and exclusive agreements with competing franchises like PES. These challenges, combined with individual player licensing complexities and the intricacies of player modeling, hinder the developers from including Ronaldo’s full likeness. However, EA Sports continues to work around these constraints by offering alternative options and securing league licensing agreements to enhance the overall gaming experience for fans worldwide.
